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Vietnam & Cambodia Adventure
  • Helen Buchanan
  • Helen Buchanan

Vietnam & Cambodia Adventure

A 24-day adventure by Helen Read more
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  • Trip start
    October 31, 2023
    Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
    21

    Travel Day 1

    October 31, 2023 in England ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    So just got on board and seems quite comfortable. Have met quite a few of my fellow travellers and seem a pleasant bunch - Steve the tour manager is a chirpy chap. Just been speaking to one lady who is on her 20th trip so I am a novice. Next stop Hanoi!Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
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    Day 2

    November 1, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌬 12 °C

    Arrived in Hanoi at 6am - good flight apart from the large number of snorers and coughers near me.
    As we could not go to our hotel until after lunch , our guide Kein took us to an artisan water puppet maker . Learnt about this ancient art and saw a small show - shame I felt so tired as very interesting. Then on to coffee by some railway tracks - train did not come by which was disappointing. I was one of the few who tried the famous egg coffee which was delicious . Then on to an early Vietnamese lunch which also was delicious at a restaurant whose claim to fame is Bill Clinton ate here - they seem to like him a lot!
    Finally to our hotel and nice room on 10th floor - with panoramic views of Hanoi ( not the prettiest of cities from what I’ve seen so far ) . Then out for another super meal - really enjoying food . Hanoi very noisy and loads of scooters.    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
    21

    Day 4

    November 3, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    A better day , I slept like a baby ( thanks to tablet from doctor) and nearly over slept but feeling better - bad throat now a cold .
    Very cultural day . First went to the Temple of Literature - lots of Confucius stuff and calligraphy demo and lesson . Then on to a family restaurant in south Hanoi for cookery demo and did some cooking ourselves . Next on to a lacquer place - high quality and interesting to seen them using duck shells . Traffic here nightmare and a zillion scooters everywhere.
    Finally the museum of ethnology- fun fact there are 54 different ethnic minorities in Vietnam . Out for a meal tonight and then on to Halong bay tomorrow .    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
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    Day 5

    November 4, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    This is late as spent the night on a cruise boat in Halong bay with no WiFi . Took all morning to drive from Hanoi , our guide giving us a verbal view of the political situation here and what it really felt like to be Vietnamese- and odd mash up of communism and capitalism with sinister undertones. We stopped off at a cultured pearl place to hear about implanting oysters to make cultured pearls( which felt rather cruel as only 30% survive ) - I didn’t make any purchases !
    Arrived in Halong which is an odd place badly financially affected by covid .
    Masses of cruise boats leave the terminal so whilst it’s great to see this beautiful UNESCO site - you do experience it with thousands of other people .
    The yacht is very nice and we went to look at some caves by tender and then on to a beach ( equally packed with people to watch the sunset ) . Finally I treated myself to an aromatherapy massage .    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
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    Day 6

    November 5, 2023 in Vietnam

    Up early and was off at 7am on a rowing boat to see a lagoon and monkeys . Then leisurely couple of hours on board , followed by tiring three hour journey back to Hanoi airport for flight to Da Nang and our stay in Hoi An . Learnt a lot about the ravages of the war today and the still on going affects of the agent orange and napon bombing on the population . Horrendous .
    Early evening arrived at hotel that seems to be in a paddy field but it’s dark so can’t quite make it out and have a humongous bedroom .    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
    11

    Day 7

    November 6, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    A lovely walk this morning around the ancient part of Hoi An / very pretty . Lots to see ( and buy) . Went to a charity that finds work for disabled youngsters - two of the lads I was talking to were lovely .
    Have discovered iced coconut milk coffee - delicious .
    Then on to a herb farm and here had a foot massage and cookery lesson ( we seem to have a lot of those ) and then a relaxing few hours by pool . Discovered a balcony I didn’t know I had in my room - it’s the room that keeps on giving.
    Back in the town this evening , Really delightful to walk around , beautiful colours from the lanterns .    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
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    Day 8

    November 7, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    The day started with a jeep ride ( old US ones ) through the paddy fields , saw lots of water buffalo. And a gaggle of ducks!
    Then it started to rain and basically hasn’t stopped . It has been biblical and at one point as we were walking along a pavement it was well over the ankles . We went on a covered boat trip to see fishermen but the coracle ride really didn’t happen as too wet - a few braved it but in the pouring rain around a swamp was something I thought I might as well give a miss . The pink stuff is frog spawn .
    Came back to hotel and had terrific thunder and lightning . Evening out has been cancelled as Hoi An seriously flooded so stayed at hotel who rustled us up something to eat - still raining just hope it stops tomorrow.    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
    11

    Day 9

    November 8, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    So the sun shone today and barely any trace of the rain of yesterday.
    Went into Hoi An for a few hours shopping and free time . That fruit basket I tried weighs a ton - great respect for the little ladies that carry them! After lunch had 3 hour journey to Hue .
    Lovely hotel !
    Met up with my friend Rebecca and her partner Rob for a cheeky cocktail which was lovely .
    Early night for me after dinner    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
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    Day 10 - Hue

    November 9, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Very hot day . We first went to the imperial palace . This was very badly damaged in the war and the model shows what it used to be like . Learnt about the Emperor’s concubines - not a great role as when he died you had to go and live in his mausoleum until you died!
    Then we had a hair raising rickshaw ride through the town . Next on to a big pagoda which was beside the Perfume River ( not the most attractive of rivers ) We went on a boat trip over lunch .
    Our final stop of the day was the last Emperors summer residence and mausoleum- quite a peaceful place . We were all flagging by now and so a nice return to the hotel for a swim in the pool . Unfortunately sore throat back again☹️    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler

    Day 11 Hue

    November 10, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Made the decision not to do todays trip which was a 4 hour coach round trip to the demilitarised zone and tunnels . Feel as if I needed to recharge battery - so sat by pool ( in the shade ) and had a delightful foot massage . There was hardly anyone around all day . In the gardens the hotel has a bizarre area of decorated Christmas trees!
    Amazing what you can do with a carrot and a mango .    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
    1

    Day 12 Hue to Ho Chi Minh City( Saigon)

    November 11, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Our first stop today was an ancient Hue house that belonged to the nobility that has been restored by a descendant,a gentleman in his 70s. Lovely chap who sadly had to spend time in a “re-education”camp after the war . Then off to the airport for our flight south . Saigon is massive ( 12 million people) , we could see from the air how enormous it is . Very lively on a Saturday night here and very hot . We went to a bbq restaurant so that was incredibly hot! Hotel not as nice as some of our previous ones but very central . First photo is of our guide in Hue who was a sweet little chapRead more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
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    Day 13 Saigon

    November 12, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    We all had an early start today at 4am- it was the Saigon marathon and it was starting outside our hotel and they run early!
    Firstly today we went to the War Remnants museum - as you would expect not a cheerful place - the agent orange exhibition was horrendous and the war crimes section too- whilst in a war there is atrocious things conducted by all sides , the information and picture about what the Americans did was very upsetting!( will not put the photos )
    Next we went to the Reunification palace which was where a tank went through the front gates ( an iconic moment in the war ) we also saw the CIA building .
    After a very pleasant lunch ( any where is pleasant so long as it has AC) we went to hear a performance of traditional Vietnamese music . Then had a go on the instruments.
    Hotel has lovely rooftop bar with good views . The green helmet bikes are their version of Uber called Grab- don’t look particularly safe!    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
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    Day 14 Mekong Delta

    November 13, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    A long coach journey south and then on to some flat bottom boats . Not the most attractive of rivers and badly polluted . We visited a brick foundry and coconut craft centre . It was better when we went up the little tributaries but not see any wild life . Probably not what any of us were expecting. You did feel you were seeing a more authentic Vietnam . We went to a family house - felt a bit awkward walking through it . Finally after lunch we went in some little rowing boats to see even smaller tributaries - reminded me of apocalypse now !
    At dinner tonight this was a delicacy which our guide showed us - I tried a very small piece but won’t be eating again !    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
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    Day 15 Saigon to Phnom Penn

    November 14, 2023 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Early start through amazing traffic ( there are 8m scooters in Saigon and most were on the road this morning) and we headed north to the Cu Chi tunnels . These were the tunnels used in the guerrilla warfare . As I did not manage to go to the living tunnels near Hue I went into these . So many of the group were barred by age or various issues with backs or size etc , a couple of us thought we should take one for the team and go in . It was incredibly narrow and I had to walk in a squat position / luckily it was only about 10metres . The whole visit was very informative- we saw the traps they set for the American soldiers which were barbaric and designed to badly injure rather than kill . Had lunch overlooking the Saigon river . Then on to border where we sat in no man’s land for an hour in the heat
    after handing in our passports. There seemed to be a lot of “ transactions” taking place between our guide and various officials and then we were back on a new coach with our passports duly stamped .
    First impressions of Cambodia is it is so noticeably poorer and full of litter but Phnom Penn seems ok .    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
    2

    Day 16 Phnom Penh

    November 15, 2023 in Cambodia

    Early start and off to the Palace . Very hot but beautiful place ( reminded me of the one in Bangkok). Then on to see a big pagoda in centre with lots of Buddhas.
    After lunch a sobering hour at the Genocide Museum - S21. We have learnt a lot about Pol Pot today and his regime . The museum was the site of unbelievable torture and atrocities before individuals were taken to the killing fields . Cambodia has a young population and that is down to the fact so many people were killed , the estimate is 3 million but nobody really knows .
    We were all glad that after that we had rest of afternoon at leisure and most of us sat around the rooftop infinity pool .
    Nice evening on the roof with cocktails!    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler
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    Day17 Phnom Penh to Kep

    November 16, 2023 in Cambodia

    Left PP early this morning for a 4 hour drive to the coast and Kep . I actually quite liked PP , very cosmopolitan .
    We first briefly went to a fish and crab market when we arrived which was hot and smelly . Then a nice seafood lunch overlooking the water .
    Staying in a brand new hotel with stunning rooms . Pool afternoon which has been very relaxing, hotel has an enormous pool .
    We then went for a sunset cocktail cruise which was a wash out as the heavens opened ! But more cocktails back at the hotel made up for it    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler

    Day 18 Kep

    November 16, 2023 in Cambodia ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

    Had a tuk tuk ride this morning into the countryside. First we stopped at a nice lake and then on to a pepper farm . This organic farm opened by a French couple really supports the local community , paying for a teacher at the school and giving free English lessons . We saw and tasted the different types of peppercorns- very interesting. Also passion fruit growing . Had chocolate ice cream with red pepper in it at lunch . Also some very nice rice and coconut balls with chilli .
    Then another this time unpleasant tuk tuk ride back - was pleased then to relax by pool for the rest of the afternoon. Nice evening meal down in the harbour .    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler

    Day 19 Kep to Siem Reap

    November 18, 2023 in Cambodia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Tedious 4 hour journey by coach to get our flight to Siem Reap/ all because of road works but saw a lot of the Cambodian countryside.
    Got to our lovely boutique hotel late afternoon and they have certainly saved the best for last .
    Loving Siem Reap!
    Had cocktails ( happy hour so daiquiris all round ) and after dinner we went to the Cambodian circus ( think Cirque de Soleil without the health and safety) !    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler

    Day 20 Siem Reap

    November 19, 2023 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Today we went to the Ankor area about a 10 min drive away , Did not realise it was so big , I can see why you need a few days to see it all . First we went to the Bayan temple . Beautiful. Also saw some cute monkeys . Then on to the Ta Prohm temple . Famous for its trees growing over the ruins and the Lara Croft movies . All the carving is amazing and also the fact these were built over 1000 years ago . ( so many photos hard to know which to post )
    After a picnic lunch in a bamboo basket ( that we can keep ) , relaxing around the pool was the next thing on the agenda followed by a lovely reflexology session . And another cocktail! After our meal tonight a few of us had a wonder around the night market and saw the nightlife of Siem Reap .    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler

    Day 21 Siem Reap

    November 20, 2023 in Cambodia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    A lovely day seeing so many interesting things . Started off stopping at a road side shack to see bamboo cake which is a local snack ( basically rice , coconut milk cooked in bamboo ) . Then on to the Tonle Sap lake . Biggest lake in SE Asia and 19th biggest in the world. Caught a boat and saw the village on stilts and the floating village . So interesting to see how these people have a living amongst the water hyacinths fishing . We had lunch at a home stay and saw such lovely little children . What is amazing is how everyone in Cambodia has such beautiful smiles . We also stopped at a Buddhist temple on way back. Then pool / relaxation and the obligatory cocktails .Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler

    Day 22 Ankor Wat

    November 21, 2023 in Cambodia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Amazing place . Unbelievable how big , how many people there were and how long it took to build . Three million people took 35 years to build .
    The carvings are amazing and we were able to get up to the 2 nd floor . The sun was in the wrong place for some of the photos but certainly the highlight of trip .
    After a brief pause our coach broke down but within 45 mins we had a new one and off to a lovely lunch sent in the countryside.
    Final stop was Banteay Srie- even older by two centuries than Ankor War . Very pink but beautiful carvings and more in a state of ruin.
    Have developed another sore throat but last night tonight and then heading for home . Lots have got it !    Read more

  • Helen BuchananVietnam & Cambodia AdventureTraveler

    Day 24 Home

    November 23, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    Sorry no update yesterday but not feeling great then travelling.
    We flew from Siem Reap back to Ho Chi Minh and then on to our main flight of 14 hours home . Ho Chi Minh airport was an experience!
    Vietnam and Cambodia have been so interesting. Beautiful , bonkers and bewildering at times . Cambodia for me was very special , as a country they have been through so much , oh so recently , and they have so little , but they smile ! Will have to start planning the next adventure!    Read more

    Trip end
    November 23, 2023
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